Although
Dave Grusin is best known as a soundtrack composer and for his jazz-pop recordings, he has always had a great admiration for jazz. This CD (released in a fairly deluxe package) gave
Grusin an opportunity to pay tribute to
Duke Ellington. He performs ten mostly familiar songs associated with
Ellington and wisely features fluegelhornist
Clark Terry on five of the selections. Other prominent soloists include tenor saxophonist Pete Christlieb, trombonist George Bohanon, tenor saxophonist
Tom Scott (returning to his roots), clarinetist
Eddie Daniels (on an orchestrated version of "Mood Indigo"), and pianist
Grusin himself. This is a respectful and well-conceived tribute. ~ Scott Yanow